Blog Archives

The Best Graphic Novel Possible

Alexander Grand Author Interview

Hashman follows a criminal-turned-psychologist who becomes a central figure in the cannabis legalization scene. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My best friend, Josh Berman had noticed my recent graphic novel, Journey Into Mexico (2021) and asked how I’d feel if I looked over some interviews, and interviewed the subject, his father to give him a similar treatment. It turned into an obsessive quest to review outside materials, more interviews, newspaper articles and court documents to get the story straight. Josh and I really enjoyed doing the research and developing this world, and working with the artist to create what we felt was the best graphic novel possible. It was also a thrill co-writing this with Josh and learn about the Cannabis culture in which his business is based.

Joey Berkowitz is an interesting character I enjoyed following. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Well, he’s my best friend’s dad, and what started out as a simple quest to learn more about him as an adult because a long series of questions and answers to get to the bottom of his psychological dilemmas, which became a real pleasure to explore and depict, while staying as close to the truth as the various sources would provide. The main idea was that greed can destroy one’s family, but also exploring the various causes of that greed.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The main theme is that massive need for security that is rooted in a childhood trauma, can mix with an obsession for vice, and eventually lead to ones own personal destruction.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

My next book, Understanding Superhero Comic Books comes out later this year published by McFarland and Co, which describes a narrative history of Superhero Comic books, their secret origins in other media, and various legal, business, and creator decisions that caused them to develop over time into what they are now.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Criminal-turned-psychologist Joey Berkowitz has a complicated past, extending through East Coast mobs, the psychedelic 60s, the New York celebrity drug culture, Berkeley Peace movement, the Paris riots, Altamont, Woodstock, laundering money in Southeast Asia, and sitting meditation courses in Tibet. Join Joey as he manages to escape prosecution time and time again by the seat of his pants, ultimately becoming a noteworthy shrink in Seattle where he manages to find himself as a central figure in the worldwide cannabis legalization scene as its most notorious authorizing doc, dispensary financier, and industry stalwart. Will he make it thru? Or will the law finally catch up with him?

Based on a series of interviews with eye witnesses, court reports, and newspaper articles carefully used to construct an authentic and visually visceral ride through the life of a well connected cannabis pioneer.

Posted in Interviews

2 Comments

Tags: Alexander Grand, author, author interview, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, graphic novel, Hashman, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, thriller, writer, writing

Hashman

Feb 8

Posted by Literary Titan

Hashman by Alex Grand and Josh Berman is a gripping graphic novel depicting the high times of Joey Berkowitz. Despite enduring a childhood of abuse, Berkowitz uses his wits and mediation skills to skirt the law and find his calling, moving from a modest neighborhood in Brooklyn as a young Jewish boy to one of the biggest movers and shakers in the city’s drug scene. Based on a true story, Hashman follows Berkowitz through his accounts of early life in the drug culture through the rebellious 60s, 70s, and so on. The book takes the reader through the gritty reality of historic and life-changing events, including cartel shakeups, mob connections, and the struggle for cannabis legalization.

Hashman is a refreshing, exciting read written by two talented authors, Alex Grand, and Josh Berman. The incredible artwork is created by Charbak Dipta and offers a psychedelic, gonzo style that fits the themes. The story gives a sense that all names have been changed to protect or conceal the actual characters on which the book is based. While the writers claim Hashman is both a work of fiction fused with true elements, most of the events cited throughout the story are historically accurate, which offers the perfect blend for a realistic, gripping tale. All these attributes contribute credibility to the real life of Berkowitz and his wild tales.

I thought the book was highly entertaining and a well-narrated account of the intriguing but dangerous world of the mid to late-twentieth-century drug culture. The legalization efforts in Washington and other historical references throughout the book were fascinating and worked well with the raw visuals and excellent storytelling.

Hashman by Alex Grand and Josh Berman is a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in graphic novels and the world of cannabis culture.

ASIN B0BS1LXQQL | Pages 128